Blake Young to race at Donington

LINK

"The current World Superbike grid is starting to look more like an AMA Superbike grid of old with Ben Spies, John Hopkins and Jamie Hacking currently on-site.

There will be one more at Donington Park this weekend when Suzuki man--and a rider who knows when to leave Siebkins--Blake Young will replace Spanish rider Fonsi Nieto on the Batta-run Suzuki WSBK squad.

With so many factory riders concerned about the direction of the US series there is a very strong chance that several of them could be in World Superbike in 2010.

At least two additional US riders are talking with WSBK teams for 2010."

I think that is good news. I had mentioned before, I'm very impressed with Blake. He's also a good down to earth character. One thing Blake really has going for him is that he has the blessing and help of Mr. Schwantz.

I wonder if they offered the ride to Tommy, since I think he's put in the time to be offered such opportunities. I bet they didn't bother offering this opportunity to Mladin (pussied out of Utah, why would he travel half a world away to Donny).


Anyway, best of luck to Blake.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>With so many factory riders concerned about the direction of the US series there is a very strong chance that several of them could be in World Superbike in 2010.

Thanks DMG, your plan is working.

According to a twitter post from Mladin, he was never offered the ride at Miller.

There seems to be word spreading that I turned down a Suzuki ride. Not true. I was never offered a ride. I wonder why???
11:29 PM May 29th from web

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cankles @ Jun 23 2009, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There seems to be word spreading that I turned down a Suzuki ride. Not true. I was never offered a ride. I wonder why???
11:29 PM May 29th from web

Interesting. I don't believe it though. Any official reference or link?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jun 23 2009, 03:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Interesting. I don't believe it though. Any official reference or link?
I would tend to believe Mladin. He has never been one to beat around the bush. If he was offered and turned it down, i believe he would say so. Who was it that said he was offered, or was that just internet speculation.

Matt Mladin's Twitter page

You have to scroll down to that date.

Youcan call Mladin a prick, an a-hole, or any number of things, but I don't ever recall him a being liar

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cankles @ Jun 23 2009, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There seems to be word spreading that I turned down a Suzuki ride. Not true. I was never offered a ride. I wonder why???
11:29 PM May 29th from web
Another Mladin quote
why do woman wear push up bras on their nightly walk or run. just looks wrong. supposed to be xrcising not showing off ya ..... weirdos!!!
8:35 PM Jun 17th from web

I wonder what this is supposed to mean. Godd news or devastating news, we can only hope for the latter

I heard some news today that things could get interesting in the future for AMA SBK. We shall see.
8:14 PM Jun 20th from web

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Jun 23 2009, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I wonder what this is supposed to mean. Godd news or devastating news, we can only hope for the latter

I heard some news today that things could get interesting in the future for AMA SBK. We shall see.
8:14 PM Jun 20th from web


We can only hope. I remember reading somewhere of a rumor that the manufactures were going to pull out after this year. Who know? But I am definately not a fan of NASCAR on Two Wheels. (now to be called NTW)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cankles @ Jun 23 2009, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Matt Mladin's Twitter page

You have to scroll down to that date.

Youcan call Mladin a prick, an a-hole, or any number of things, but I don't ever recall him a being liar
Thanks. Found it. Well then, it must be true.

I just spend 30 minutes reading his blog. I found one entry quite funny. He talks to the kids about doing the best in every race and not worry about the #1 plate (title). He also mentions how he was so happy racing against Ben Spies because it was challenging. He said his 99-05 titles were boring.

Cough cough, uhm yo Mat, if you wanted to run with the big boys, they were there waiting for you...WSBK/GP. Your words rang rather empty to me.


Anyway, Mladin is an interesting character. He's a bit of an enigma, a bullshitter, a tell-it-like-it-is, and outstanding racer all in one.

Suzi are looking for fresh young talent. Mladin would give them a couple years at best.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Jun 23 2009, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Suzi are looking for fresh young talent. Mladin would give them a couple years at best.
Who really cares about age if the "old" guy can get you a title? Either way, Mladin's too much of a ..... to challenge himself against the best. Actually, I should retract the ".....' part, since he gave a reason that is hard to argue with, he said he preferred racing in the US because he wanted to stay with his family (admirable). But here is the thing, I find myself agreeing and disagreeing with much of what Mladin says. The thing is it doesn't always ring true or make sense. He's flying three thousand miles away from venue to venue in the US, but Europe (or WSBK) isn't that much of a different situation. In reality WSBK only has very few fly away rounds. And if he's gonna talk about challenging himself with the best (otherwise his titles are boring, his words) then why the excuses of not going to WSBK? Really, its very hypocritical. As you can see, Spies was really his match, and look how well he is doing. So I don't think its a matter of age. If he had the guts to get on a Suzuki team in WSBK, he'd be challenging for the wins if not the title straight away like Spies (i have no doubt about that). Let me ask you Sacky, if Bayliss asked Ducati to allow him two more years, do you think Ducati would hesitate? Do you think they would say, well Troy, you are too old? No way. Why, because Bayliss is good. And so is Mladin. The difference in the two men is: one wanted to be world champ the other want to be minor league chimp.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jun 23 2009, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Who really cares about age if the "old" guy can get you a title? Either way, Mladin's too much of a ..... to challenge himself against the best. Actually, I should retract the ".....' part, since he gave a reason that is hard to argue with, he said he preferred racing in the US because he wanted to stay with his family (admirable). But here is the thing, I find myself agreeing and disagreeing with much of what Mladin says. The thing is it doesn't always ring true or make sense. He's flying three thousand miles away from venue to venue in the US, but Europe (or WSBK) isn't that much of a different situation. In reality WSBK only has very few fly away rounds. And if he's gonna talk about challenging himself with the best (otherwise his titles are boring, his words) then why the excuses of not going to WSBK? Really, its very hypocritical. As you can see, Spies was really his match, and look how well he is doing. So I don't think its a matter of age. If he had the guts to get on a Suzuki team in WSBK, he'd be challenging for the wins if not the title straight away like Spies (i have no doubt about that). Let me ask you Sacky, if Bayliss asked Ducati to allow him two more years, do you think Ducati would hesitate? Do you think they would say, well Troy, you are too old? No way. Why, because Bayliss is good. And so is Mladin. The difference in the two men is: one wanted to be world champ the other want to be minor league chimp.

So tell me how you really feel? LOL!

Seriously, though, I agree with a lot of stuff he says, and I disagree with a lot of stuff he says.

When you are racing in WSBK, there is a lot morethan just fly away rounds. There is a lot of stuff overseas. Plus, when you have a family (I don't know if you are married with kids, etc), you get changed priorities. You want to be closer to them, you don't want to disrupt the kids, etc.

He actually reminds me of Axl Rose before he lost his mind (showing my age here). He tells you the truth how he sees it. You may not like it, but he will tell it to you right to his face.

dp

dp

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Jun 23 2009, 04:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Who really cares about age if the "old" guy can get you a title?

Im sure that they wouldn't hesitate to give a ride to Mladin. He can match if not be better than Spies and we know that he would probably be challenging for the championship with Spies in WSBK. On he other hand Suzi said they are already planning for 2010. They have ditched this season and this bike down the road. Can you agree that they are also looking for young hungry talent? I mean it's not that complicated of a statement. We know there is very little chance to see Mat in WSBK so on the positive side they can close that door and look for the next best thing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cankles @ Jun 24 2009, 05:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>When you are racing in WSBK, there is a lot morethan just fly away rounds. There is a lot of stuff overseas. Plus, when you have a family (I don't know if you are married with kids, etc), you get changed priorities. You want to be closer to them, you don't want to disrupt the kids, etc.

He actually reminds me of Axl Rose before he lost his mind (showing my age here). He tells you the truth how he sees it. You may not like it, but he will tell it to you right to his face.

Crankles, did you read my post? I agree with you about the family thing HOWEVER the difference in travel (in miles) in the US between rounds is NOT that much different to WSBK. Most all their rounds are in Europe, about the same expanse as the US territory. You know WSBK has been called the Europe Cup for a reason, because they have very few fly away rounds. Other than the US round, they only leave Europe three times, and Qatar is not that far. So that only leaves Oz (where he's from) and South Africa (recently added). So to say the travel thing is an issue is rather disingenuous. In miles, traveling in the US is much further than going from Spain, to Italy, to France, to the UK, etc. (You understand?) ...., I traveled all though Europe and not once did I need to get on a plane. France is the size of California, and Spain is about as large as Arizona. Small ... places. So no, I don't buy the traveling bit.

As I was reading his blog, I realized the guy has a house in SoCal. That means he’s flying clear across the nation to get to the east rounds, that is way further than traveling from the tip of Spain to the UK round.

So yeah, I respect a guy for saying he doesn't want to uproot his family (even though back in 99 when he got his first title he didn't have one) and saying he rather spend time with his kids rather then spend time in a plane (though you get way more air time flying between US rounds). So it doesn't make sense. And then for him to say say to the young up and coming riders, that a challenge of doing your best against the best riders is admirable and worthy, but then for him not to actually move on to the world stage is rather hypocritical. All of which sounds like .........

Ya see what I mean?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Jun 24 2009, 08:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Can you agree that they are also looking for young hungry talent?
Yes, I agree with you. Youth is where its at. But would you agree with me, that if this is the only factor they (teams/factories) are look for in riders, than its rather short sighted? Add frankly, I think some teams and factories are smarter than that, the thing is in Mladin's case, he just doesn't have the desire to challenge himself against the big boys.

Let me as you something Sacky, and anybody else:

1. Which is the greater accomplishment: 7 AMA titles or 3 WSBK titles?

I know what you're saying, but if he wants his family in the US, then the super long wsbk season is another drawback. the NTW (NASCAR on Two Wheels) season is shorter with bigger breaks in between races, iirc. He can fly himself across the country, then when the race is done, he can fly himself back home. (he is a pilot with planes). He doesn't need to pack his kids on a bus to travel.

Trust me, I am only giving another perspective that I understand. I agree with a lot of what you're saying. I also agree that the guy is an enigma.

And it's Cankles, btw